An Iraqi Foreign Ministry source say the Kurdish government in Iraq intends to invite oil major companies for talks over investment projects in northern Iraq. The companies will include Royal Dutch Shell, Total, Lukoil, BP and ConocoPhilips. It is not yet clear whether the Kurdish government will arrange these talks with the Oil Ministry. Sources close to acting Oil Minister Hashem Al-Hashemi say he is preparing to advise the central government in Iraq to punish any foreign company trying to bypass the Oil Ministry and conclude contracts with the Kurdish government.
Iraq information report - March 17, 2006 - 7th Year, No 7/778